Canadian applicants · United States of America
TN USMCA Professionals (Canada & Mexico) for Canadian citizens
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Non-immigrant work visa under USMCA for Canadian and Mexican citizens in listed professions.
This page covers the TN USMCA Professionals (Canada & Mexico) specifically for Canadian applicants — including document requirements, consular procedures, and common issues specific to Canada. The route's general criteria are summarised below, but the current corridor-specific filing, visa-issuance, and entry position above can still determine whether the route is usable.
- Processing time
- No fixed national clock publishedUse the current USCIS - TN USMCA Professionals service for the responsible mission, service centre, authority or live processing-time tool before applying.
- Worked-example cost
- US$80
- Typical duration
- Up to 3 years; renewable indefinitely while activity continues.
- Sponsorship required
- Yes
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
Bilateral context
No nationality-specific treaty frameworks apply to this combination.
Consular processing: a United States of America consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence
Tourist entry vs. this route
Tourist-entry rules for Canadian nationals change periodically and are separate from the TN USMCA Professionals (Canada & Mexico). Check the destination government's current entry guidance before travel.
Key figures for Canadian applicants
Computed from our continuously re-verified, primary-sourced data. Indicative, not legal advice.
Worked-example route cost
US$80
Canadian citizen, port-of-entry filing
TD dependants who need consular visas pay the USD 185 MRV fee where required. A TD change or extension inside the United States uses Form I-539: USD 470 by paper or USD 420 online where available. 8 CFR 214.6 says there is no TN admission fee for spouse and minor-child admission, but verify any I-94, appointment, courier or local charges before travel.
Verified 1 July 2026 · USCIS / CBP / State Department TN fee sources
How long it takes
No fixed national clock published
USCIS - TN USMCA Professionals does not publish one fixed, route-wide end-to-end processing time that can be stated responsibly for this application route.
Use the current USCIS - TN USMCA Professionals service for the responsible mission, service centre, authority or live processing-time tool before applying.
Verified 10 September 2026 · USCIS - TN USMCA Professionals
Visa overview
The TN visa implements the USMCA (formerly NAFTA) preferential professional categories for Canadian and Mexican citizens. The list of qualifying professions (Appendix 2 to Annex 16-A of the USMCA) includes engineers, scientists, accountants, lawyers, architects, and many healthcare roles. TN is not dual-intent and is not a direct path to permanent residence.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Canadian or Mexican citizenship.U.S. Department of State ↗
- ✓Job offer in a profession listed in USMCA Appendix 2 to Annex 16-A.Office of the United States Trade Representative ↗
- ✓Beneficiary has the qualifications required for the listed profession (typically a bachelor’s or licence).Office of the United States Trade Representative ↗
- ✓Temporary intent to enter the US (not dual-intent).U.S. Department of State ↗
Common blockers
- !Offered role not matching a listed USMCA profession.U.S. Department of State ↗
- !Filing a US green-card application that undermines non-immigrant intent.
Typical evidence
- ·Employer support letter describing the role and matching USMCA category.U.S. Department of State ↗
- ·Proof of citizenship and relevant credentials.U.S. Department of State ↗
- ·Reliable credential evaluation if the degree was issued outside Canada, Mexico or the United States.
Application pathway
Employer prepares support letter
Letter matches duties to USMCA profession and confirms temporary intent.
Apply at port of entry (Canadians) or consulate (Mexicans)
Canadians typically apply at a Class A POE; Mexicans apply at a US consulate.
Work in TN status
Extensions filed via I-129 or at POE for Canadians.
Plan the practical side of your stay
Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in United States. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicantCheck TN USMCA application route ↗
Canadian and Mexican professionals use this USCIS page to confirm whether to apply at the border, consulate, or through Form I-129.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · verified
Not sure United States of America is right for you? Compare similar routes
Other countries offer work sponsored routes that Canadian nationals also apply to. See how they compare.
Frequently asked questions
Are Canadian citizens eligible for the TN USMCA Professionals (Canada & Mexico)?+
Eligibility for the TN USMCA Professionals (Canada & Mexico) is set by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Canadian applicants must meet the general route criteria plus any nationality- or location-specific intake requirements described in the current corridor guidance above.
Where do Canadian applicants typically file the TN USMCA Professionals (Canada & Mexico)?+
a United States of America consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence. Specific intake (online portal, biometrics centre, or in-country lodgement) is determined by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services — confirm the current intake channel on the primary source linked above before filing.
Do Canadian applicants need a tourist visa for United States of America as well?+
Tourist-entry rules for Canadian nationals change periodically and are separate from the TN USMCA Professionals (Canada & Mexico). Check the destination government's current entry guidance before travel.
How much does the TN USMCA Professionals (Canada & Mexico) cost for a Canadian applicant?+
The stored worked example (Canadian citizen, port-of-entry filing) totals about US$80. TD dependants who need consular visas pay the USD 185 MRV fee where required. A TD change or extension inside the United States uses Form I-539: USD 470 by paper or USD 420 online where available. 8 CFR 214.6 says there is no TN admission fee for spouse and minor-child admission, but verify any I-94, appointment, courier or local charges before travel. It may combine government charges with other stated route costs. Source: USCIS / CBP / State Department TN fee sources, verified 1 July 2026. Treat it as indicative and confirm the current official schedule before budgeting.
How long does the TN USMCA Professionals (Canada & Mexico) take to process from Canada?+
USCIS - TN USMCA Professionals does not publish one fixed, route-wide end-to-end processing time that can be stated responsibly for this application route. Use the current USCIS - TN USMCA Professionals service for the responsible mission, service centre, authority or live processing-time tool before applying. Canadian applicants usually file via a United States of America consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence, and appointment or post-specific backlogs can add to the wait. Source: USCIS - TN USMCA Professionals, verified 10 September 2026.
How much does TN cost for Canadian and Mexican applicants?+
For a Canadian citizen using the land-border baseline, budget USD 80 in government charges: the USD 50 TN professional request fee plus the current USD 30 CBP Form I-94 land-border fee. Mexican TN and TD applicants use the consular route and pay the USD 185 non-petition MRV fee where required. If the employer files Form I-129 for a change, extension or pre-approval, the USCIS E/TN filing fee and Asylum Program Fee can make the case much more expensive.
Is the TN dual-intent?+
No. Unlike H-1B and L-1, TN is not a dual-intent visa. Active green-card intent can affect admission or renewal; applicants typically plan any adjustment strategy carefully with counsel.
Can TD dependants work in the United States?+
No. USCIS says spouses and unmarried children under 21 may qualify for TD status, but TD dependants are not permitted to work. They may study, and their status cannot last longer than the principal TN worker status.
How we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Last checked: 8 July 2026